Poultry carriers and methods of restraining poultry

ABSTRACT

Bird carriers and methods of restraining birds are disclosed. Each bird carrier may include a torso support, one or more leg clamps, and a head support. The head support may further include a beak receiving passage such that at least a portion of the birds&#39; beaks are exposed. The bird carriers may restrain one or both legs and heads of the birds while supporting their torsos. Restraining the legs and the heads of the birds while supporting their torsos may produce a calming effect such that the birds exhibit significantly reduced struggling in an attempt to free themselves from the carrier.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/142,998, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,808,328 on Nov. 7, 2017,which is the § 371 U.S. National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US2010/021900, filed 23 Jan. 2010, which claims the benefit under35U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/146,732,titled POULTRY CARRIERS AND METHODS OF TRANSPORTING POULTRY filed onJan. 23, 2009, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND

Poultry carriers and methods of restraining poultry are describedherein.

The processing of poultry may include activities such as sexing todetermine gender, inoculating or otherwise medicating the birds, feedingthe birds, weighing the birds, treating the beaks and/or claws of thebirds (to, e.g., retard their growth), etc. Conventionally, birds arehandled manually, i.e., individuals must physically hold the bird andeither perform the process while holding the bird or load the bird intoequipment in which one of the processes is performed.

In many cases, the birds may be restrained by their heads as describedin, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,731 (Gorans et al.) with the remainder ofthe bird being either manually restrained or unrestrained.

SUMMARY

Poultry carriers and methods of atraumatically restraining poultry aredescribed herein. Each carrier may preferably include a torso support,leg clamp apparatus, head clamp, and a head support. The head supportmay optionally include a beak receiving passage and aperture such thatat least a portion of the birds' beaks are exposed.

The bird carriers preferably restrain the legs and heads of the birdswhile supporting their torsos. Restraining the legs and the heads of thebirds while supporting their torsos may produce a calming effect suchthat the birds may exhibit significantly reduced struggling in anattempt to free themselves from the carrier.

Another potential advantage of restraining the legs and heads of thebirds while optionally supporting their torsos is that variousanatomical features of the birds can be accurately located with respectto the carrier itself. Accurate positioning of anatomical features ofthe atraumatically restrained birds may enhance the ability to, e.g.,inspect, measure, determine gender, clean, vaccinate, process claws,process beaks, etc.

As used herein with respect to the restraint of live birds, the term“atraumatic restraint” (and variations thereof) means restraint thatdoes not require puncturing the skin of the bird to restrain the bird.

Although the carriers and methods described herein may be used withbirds of any age, they me particularly useful when used with hatchlings,where “hatchlings” are defined as young birds (e.g., chickens, turkeys,ducks, geese, etc.) with an age of one week or less.

In one aspect, a carrier apparatus for atraumatic restraint of a livebird as described herein comprises a torso support element shaped tosupport and atraumatically retain the torso of a live bird restrained inthe carrier; a leg clamp apparatus operably attached to the torsosupport element, the leg clamp positioned to receive and atraumaticallyretain a thigh of a live bird restrained in the carrier, wherein the legclamp apparatus comprises an open configuration in which the thigh canbe positioned in the leg clamp apparatus and a closed configuration inwhich the thigh is retained in the leg clamp, and further wherein thethigh is retained in a selected angular orientation relative to thetorso support element; a head support operably attached to the torsosupport element and positioned to receive a head of a bird restrained inthe carrier with its chest supported against the torso support element;and a head clamp operably attached to the head support, wherein the headclamp and the head support cooperate to receive and atraumaticallyretain a head of a bird between the head clamp and the head support.

In some embodiments, the carrier apparatus described herein includes aleg clamp apparatus that is configured to receive and retain both thethigh of the left leg and the thigh of the right leg of the birdrestrained in the carrier apparatus. In some embodiments, the leg clampapparatus comprises a left leg clamp and a right leg clamp. In such anembodiment, the left leg clamp is operably attached to the torso supportelement and positioned to receive and retain the thigh of a left leg ofa live bird restrained in the carrier, wherein the left leg clampcomprises an open configuration in which the thigh of the left leg canbe positioned in the left leg clamp and a closed configuration in whichthe thigh of the left leg is retained in the left leg clamp, and furtherwherein the thigh of the left leg is retained in a first selectedangular orientation relative to the torso support element; and the rightleg clamp is operably attached to the torso support element, the rightleg clamp positioned to receive and retain a thigh of a right leg of abird restrained in the carrier, wherein the right leg clamp comprises anopen configuration in which the thigh of the right leg can be positionedin the right leg clamp and a closed configuration in which the thigh ofthe right leg of a bird is retained in the right leg clamp, and furtherwherein the thigh of the right leg is retained in a second selectedangular orientation relative to the torso support element.

In some embodiments, the first selected angular orientation of the leftleg clamp and the second selected angular orientation of the right legclamp are equivalent.

In some embodiments, the first selected angular orientation of the leftleg clamp and the second selected angular orientation of the right legclamp are different.

In some embodiments, the head support comprises: a first side facing thehead of a bird restrained in the carrier; a second side facing away fromthe head of a bird restrained in the carrier; a beak receiving passageextending through the head support from on opening on the first side toan opening on the second side. The head support and the head clampcomprise an open configuration in which the beak of a bird restrained inthe carrier can be moved into the beak receiving passage; and a closedconfiguration in which the head of a bird is retained by the head clampand the head support such that at least a portion of the beak of thebird is located within the beak receiving passage and at least a portionof the beak of the bird is exposed proximate the opening of the beakreceiving passage on the second side of the head support.

In some embodiments, the torso support element is pivotally attached toa base such that the torso support element can be rotated relative thebase about an axis of rotation.

In some embodiments, the torso support element is pivotally attached toa base such that the torso support element can be rotated relative thebase about an axis of rotation, wherein the torso support element andthe base define an upright configuration and an inverted configuration,wherein rotation of the torso support element about the axis of rotationmoves the torso support element between the upright configuration andthe inverted configuration, wherein in the upright configuration thehead clamp is located farther from the base than the leg clampapparatus, and wherein in the inverted configuration the head clamp islocated closer to the base than the leg clamp apparatus. In someembodiments, the axis of rotation about which the torso support elementrotates is generally horizontal when the base is supported on ahorizontal surface.

In some embodiments, the torso support comprises a leg separatorproximate the leg clamp apparatus, wherein the leg separator restrictsleft-right movement of the rump of a bird restrained in the carrierapparatus by the leg clamp apparatus and the head support and the headclamp. In some embodiments, the leg separator comprises a loop extendingfrom the torso support.

In some embodiments, the orientation of the head support is fixedrelative to the torso support element.

In some embodiments, the torso support comprises an access openingpositioned to expose a portion of the abdomen of a bird restrained inthe carrier.

In some embodiments, in the closed configuration, the leg clampapparatus acts on the thigh of the bird with a selected force that isindependent of the size of the thigh.

In some embodiments, in the closed configuration, the leg clampapparatus comprises a thigh opening that has a selected size.

In another aspect, embodiments of a method of atraumatically restraininga live bird in a carrier apparatus as described herein include:positioning the torso of a live bird proximate a torso support elementof a carrier apparatus, wherein the torso support element is shaped tosupport and atraumatically retain the torso of the bird restrained inthe carrier; atraumatically restraining the thigh of at least one leg ofthe bird in a leg clamp apparatus that is operably attached to the torsosupport element, wherein the thigh is atraumatically restrained in theleg clamp apparatus in a selected angular orientation relative to thetorso support element; and atraumatically restraining the head of thebird against a head support operably attached to the torso supportelement, wherein a head clamp is operably connected to the head supportand cooperates with the head support to receive and atraumaticallyretain the head of a bird between the head clamp and the head support.

In some methods, the thigh of the left leg of the bird and the thigh ofthe right leg of the bird are both atraumatically restrained in the legclamp apparatus.

In some methods, the thigh of the left leg of the bird is restrained ina first angular orientation relative to the torso support element andthe thigh of the right leg of the bird is restrained in a second angularorientation relative to the torso support element, and wherein the firstangular orientation and the second angular orientation are equivalent.

In some methods, the thigh of the left leg of the bird is restrained ina first angular orientation relative to the torso support element andthe thigh of the right leg of the bird is restrained in a second angularorientation relative to the torso support element, and wherein the firstangular orientation and the second angular orientation are different.

In some methods, the torso support element is pivotally attached to abase, and wherein the method further comprises rotating the torsosupport element relative to the base about an axis of rotation, whereinthe torso support element and the base define an upright configurationand an inverted configuration, wherein rotation of the torso supportelement about the axis of rotation moves the torso support elementbetween the upright configuration and the inverted configuration,wherein in the upright configuration the head of the bird is locatedfarther from the base than the legs of the bird, and wherein in theinverted configuration the head of the bird is located closer to thebase than the legs of the bird.

In some methods, the axis of rotation is located proximate a breast ofthe bird.

In some methods as described herein, the method may include exposing atleast a portion of the beak of the bird proximate a second side of thehead support; wherein the head support comprises a first side facing thehead of the bird restrained in the carrier and wherein the second sidefaces away from the head of the bird restrained in the carrier, whereinthe head support further comprises a beak receiving passage extendingthrough the head support from an opening on the first side to an openingon the second side.

In some methods, the method further comprises moving the carrierapparatus with the live bird restrained therein along the conveyorsystem.

In another aspect, some embodiments of a carrier apparatus foratraumatic restraint of a live bird include: a torso support elementshaped to support the torso of a live bird restrained in the carrier; aleft leg clamp operably attached to the torso support element, the leftleg clamp positioned to receive and retain a thigh of a left leg of alive bird restrained in the carrier, wherein the left leg clampcomprises an open configuration in which the thigh of the left leg canbe positioned in the left leg clamp and a closed configuration in whichthe thigh of the left leg is retained in the left leg clamp, and furtherwherein the thigh of the left leg is retained in a first selectedangular orientation relative to the torso support element; a right legclamp operably attached to the torso support element, the right legclamp positioned to receive and retain a thigh of a right leg of a birdrestrained in the carrier, wherein the right leg clamp comprises an openconfiguration in which the thigh of the right leg can be positioned inthe right leg clamp and a closed configuration in which the thigh of theright leg of a bird is retained in the right leg clamp, and furtherwherein the thigh of the right leg is retained in a second selectedangular orientation relative to the torso support element; a headsupport operably attached to the torso support element and positioned toreceive and retain a head of a bird restrained in the carrier with itschest supported against the torso support element, wherein the headsupport comprises a first surface facing the head of a bird restrainedin the carrier and a second surface facing away from the head of a birdrestrained in the carrier; a beak receiving passage formed in the headsupport, wherein at least a portion of a beak on the head of a birdrestrained in the carrier is exposed proximate the second surface of thehead support; a head clamp operably attached to the head support,wherein the head clamp and the head support cooperate to receive andretain a head of a bird restrained in the carrier, wherein the headsupport and the head clamp comprise an open configuration in which thebeak of a bird restrained in the carrier can be positioned in the beakreceiving passage and a closed configuration in which the head of a birdis retained by the head clamp and the head support such that at least aportion of the beak of the bird is exposed proximate the second surfaceof the head support.

In another aspect, some embodiments of a method of atraumaticallyrestraining a live bird include: positioning the torso of a live birdproximate a torso support element of a carrier apparatus, wherein thetorso support element is shaped to support the torso of the birdrestrained in the carrier; restraining the left leg of the bird in aleft leg clamp that is operably attached to the torso support element,wherein the left leg clamp comprises an open configuration in which thethigh of the left leg can be positioned in the left leg clamp and aclosed configuration in which the thigh of the left leg is retained inthe left leg clamp, and further wherein the thigh of the left leg isretained in a first selected angular orientation relative to the torsosupport element; and restraining a right leg of the bird in a right legclamp that is operably attached to the torso support element, whereinthe right leg clamp comprises an open configuration in which the thighof the right leg can be positioned in the right leg clamp and a closedconfiguration in which the thigh of the right leg of a bird is retainedin the right leg clamp, and further wherein the thigh of the right legis retained in a second selected angular orientation relative to thetorso support element.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of theinvention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same orother circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or morepreferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the invention.

As used herein, “a,” “an,” “the,” “at least one,” and “one or more” areused interchangeably. Thus, for example, a leg clamp may refer to one ormore leg clamps unless otherwise indicated.

The term “and/or” means one or all of the listed elements or acombination of any two or more of the listed elements.

The above summary is not intended to describe each embodiment or everyimplementation of the present invention. Rather, a more completeunderstanding of the carriers and methods described herein will becomeapparent and appreciated by reference to the following Description ofExemplary Embodiments and claims in view of the accompanying figures ofthe drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

The present invention will be further described with reference to theviews of the drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a birdcarrier according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an end view of the bird carrier of FIG. 1 taken from the endclosest to the leg clamps;

FIG. 2B is an end view of the carrier of FIG. 1 taken from the endfarthest from the leg clamps;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the bird carrier of FIG. 1, with a birdrestrained therein in the upright orientation;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the bird carrier of FIG. 3 in which the bird isrestrained in an inverted orientation;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a bird carrier including an optional torsoclamp;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a carrier with markings to identify potentialangular relationships between the leg clamps and torso support element.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one selectable aperture assembly thatmay be used in connection with the bird carriers.

FIG. 8 depicts another version of a selectable aperture assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying figures of the drawing which forma part hereof, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specificembodiments in which the carriers and methods described herein may bepracticed. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural changes may be made without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

As described herein, the bird carriers of the present invention mayinclude a variety of features designed to assist in the transport and/orprocessing of the restrained birds in, for example, processing systemssuch as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,112, titled AUTOMATEDPOULTRY PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM. The bird carriers of the presentinvention may also be used in other systems or environments wheretransport and/or processing of birds is performed.

One exemplary embodiment of a bird carrier according to the principlesof the present invention is depicted in the perspective view of FIG. 1,end views in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and side views in FIGS. 3 and 4. The birdcarrier 30 is operably supported above a base 10 by a post 20. The base10 and support may be provided such that the bird carrier 30 can be usedwith conveyors and other transport systems.

The depicted bird carrier 30 also includes a torso support element 40, aleg clamp apparatus including one or more leg clamps 50 and an optionalhead support 60. The various components may be operably attached in amanner that provides for atraumatic restraint of a bird positioned inthe bird carrier 30.

In at least some embodiments, the torso support element 40 includes asupport surface 42 shaped to generally follow the anatomical shape ofthe torso of a bird located in the bird carrier 30 such that the torsoof the bird is generally evenly supported. As a result, the shape of thesupport surface 42 may be different depending on the breed, age, gender,etc. of the birds that are to be restrained in the bird carrier 30. Thetorso support element 40 may include one or more openings 44 to exposethe torso provide access to the abdomen of a bird positioned thereonsuch that various activities such as, e.g., injections, monitoring, etc.may be performed while the bird is atraumatically retained in the birdcarrier 30.

The bird carrier 30 may also include a leg clamp apparatus with one ormore leg clamps 50 positioned to restrain the legs of a bird having itstorso supported by the torso support element 40. The leg clamps 50 maypreferably be positioned to retain the leg of a bird on the thigh at alocation above the joint commonly referred to as the “hock” joint. Theleg clamps 50 may include arms 52 that move between open configurationsin which the thighs of a bird can be positioned in the leg clamps andclosed configurations in which the thighs of the bird are retained inthe clamps 50. Although the depicted leg clamps 50 include arms 52,other structures (such as, e.g., inflatable bladders, etc.) may be usedto retain a bird's thighs in the leg clamps when the clamps 50 are inthe closed configuration.

The bird carrier 30 may include separate leg clamps 50 for each leg of abird as in the depicted embodiment. Alternatively, the leg clampapparatus may include a single leg clamp that is preferably capable ofcapturing and retaining at least one or preferably both legs of a bird.One potential advantage of separate leg clamps 50 is that they maypotentially be used independently of each other such that one leg of thebird may be restrained first, followed by capture of the other leg.

The leg clamps 50 may be normally closed, but constructed such that theyopen in response to the forces generated as a leg is being inserted intothe leg clamp 50 (the leg clamps 50 may be spring-loaded, etc.). Inother embodiments, the leg clamps 50 may have defined open and closedconfigurations between which the clamps can be moved to accept and/orretain a leg of a bird being restrained.

The bird carrier 30 may also optionally include a leg separator 54positioned between the legs of a bird contained in the bird carrier 30.The leg separator 54 may be used in connection with the leg clamps andthe torso support element 40 to provide more accurate and repeatablepositioning of the bird within the bird carrier 30. The leg separator 54may also assist in positioning the legs of the bird to facilitatecapture of the legs in the leg clamps 50.

The portion of the leg separator 54 facing upwards towards the torsosupport 40 and head support 60 may preferably be concave such that therump of a bird restrained in the carrier 30 nests into the leg separator54 to at least partially restrict movement of the restrained bird's rumpside-to-side, i.e., in a direction extending between the leg clamps 50in the depicted embodiment. The leg separator 54 depicted in FIGS. 1-4includes a leg separator 54 in the form of an open loop, although inother embodiments, the leg separator 54 may be formed of any structurethat provides a concave cavity into which the rump of the bird may nestto restrict movement of the rump.

The bird carriers 30 may also include a head support 60 operablyattached to the torso support element 40 and positioned to support thehead of a bird located in the bird carrier 30. The head support 60includes a first side facing the head of a bird retained in the carrier.The head support 60 may preferably include a beak receiving passage 62extending through the head support 60 to an opening 63 on the secondside of the head support 60. The beak receiving passage 62 preferablyextends through the head support 60 such that at least a portion of thebeak of a bird retained in the bird carrier 30 extends through theopening 63 of the beak receiving passage 62 and is exposed proximate thesecond surface of the head support 60 (where the second side of the headsupport 60 faces away from the head of a bird retained in the birdcarrier 30).

The head support 60 may include a head clamp 64 movable between an openconfiguration (see, e.g., FIG. 2A) and a closed configuration (see,e.g., FIGS. 1, 2B, 3, and 4). In the open configuration, the head clamp64 is preferably positioned such that the head of a bird can bepositioned in the head support 60 with the beak preferably extendingthrough the beak receiving passage 62 and preferably protruding from theopening 63 on the second side of the head support 60. In the closedconfiguration, the head clamp 64 preferably functions to retain the headof a bird in the head support 60 such that its beak extends into thebeak receiving passage 62 and preferably protrudes through the opening63 on the second side of the head support.

In addition to the optional opening 63 for the beak of the restrainedbird, the various components used to restrain the birds may also includeadditional openings to provide access to the nostrils, eyes, and otheranatomical features of a bird restrained in the carrier 30. Referring,for example, to FIG. 2B, the head support 60 may include openings 66sized and located to provide access to the eyes of a bird having itshead restrained between the head support 60 and the head clamp 64.Although two openings 66 for the eyes are shown, in some embodimentsonly one eye opening may be provided.

The head clamp 64 may preferably be shaped such that portions of thebird's head are exposed to permit access for, e.g., injection devices,etc. In the depicted embodiment, the head clamp 64 preferably leaves thecentral portion of the back of the bird's head exposed. The head clamp64 may preferably extend far enough towards the legs of the bird suchthat it is capable of restraining the neck of the bird when the headclamp 64 is in the closed configuration. In some embodiments, the clamp64 may include surfaces, openings, etc. designed to guide a device to aselected location on a bird's head.

Structures similar to the head support 60 and related components may bedescribed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,731 titled METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR DEBEAKING POULTRY; U.S. Pat. No. 7,232,450 titled APPARATUS ANDMETHOD FOR UPPER AND LOWER BEAK TREATMENT; U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication US 2005/0101937 A1 titled APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NASALDELIVERY OF COMPOSITIONS TO BIRDS; U.S. Pat. No. 7,363,881 titled BEAKTREATMENT WITH TONGUE PROTECTION; etc.

The bird carrier 30 may include a base 10, with the torso supportelement 40 and the base 10 being operably attached to each other in amanner that allows the torso support element 40 to be moved between twoor more different orientations or configurations relative to the base10. In the depicted embodiment, the torso support element 40 is attachedto the base 10 using a post 20 or other support structure, althoughother attachment structures may be used. The different orientations orconfigurations may provide for improved access to different portions ofthe bird's anatomy such that different procedures may be facilitated. Inother words, a portion of a bird's anatomy may be more easily accessedif the bird is in one or more selected orientations.

The torso support element 40 can preferably move between and be held in,e.g., an upright configuration (as depicted in, e.g., FIGS. 1, 2 and 3)and an inverted configuration (as depicted in, e.g., FIG. 4). Althoughthese two configurations are depicted, other intermediate configurationsmay also be used (where, e.g., the bird is held in supine or proneposition). Movement between the two configurations may be accomplishedby. e.g., rotating the torso support element 40 and the base 10 relativeto each other. In the upright configuration (see, e.g., FIG. 3), thehead clamp 64 (and/or the portion of the torso support element 40located proximate a restrained bird's head) is farther from the base 10than the leg clamp 50. In the inverted configuration (e.g., FIG. 4), thehead clamp 64 (and/or the portion of the torso support element 40located proximate a restrained bird's head) is located closer to thebase 10 than the leg clamp 50.

As discussed herein, movement of the torso support element 40 betweenthe upright and inverted configurations may be accomplished, in someembodiments, by rotating the torso support element 40 and the base 10relative to each other (although it may be typical to rotate the torsosupport element 40 while the base 10 remains relatively stationary). Thecarriers 30 may include torso support elements 40 that are designed torotate about a wide variety of angles, e.g., horizontal axes, verticalaxes, canted axes, etc. One potentially useful axis of rotation mayinclude, e.g., axis 11 as seen in FIGS. 1-4.

The carrier 30 includes some potentially useful features to assist inrotation of the torso support element 40 about axis 11. In the depictedembodiment, an actuator pin 45 extends from the head support 60(although in other embodiments it may, e.g., extend from the torsosupport element 40) and is positioned to allow for movement by anexternal arm to rotate the torso support element 40 about axis 11.

Rotation of the torso support element 40 about axis 11 may be limited ina first direction by a stop pin 46 that protrudes from the torso supportelement 40. The stop pin 46 may preferably act against a stop surface oncarriage 48 that supports the torso support element 40. The same stoppin 46 (or a different feature) could, in some embodiments, be used tolimit rotation of the torso support element 40 when in the selectedinverted configuration where the stop pin 46 would act against anotherstop surface on the carriage 48. In the depicted embodiment, rotation ofthe torso support element 40 about axis 11 in a direction opposite thefirst direction is limited by actuator pin 45 acting on a stop surface49 on the carriage 48.

In the depicted embodiment, rotation of the torso support 40 is limitedusing actuator pin 45 and stop pin 46. It should be understood that theactuator pin 45 and stop pin 46 represent only an example of the myriadof structures that could be used to facilitate movement of the torsosupport element 40.

In addition to providing for automated processing to move the torsosupport element 40 between the upright and inverted configurations,other structures may be provided to facilitate use of the carrier 30 inan automated conveyor system. For example, the carrier 30 may include atab 65 associated with the head clamp 64 that can be used to move thehead clamp 64 between its open and closed configurations. In a similarmanner, the leg clamps 50 may include release structures adapted to openthe leg clamps 50. The release structures may be constructed such that,in response to pressure, the leg clamps 50 rotate into an open positionfrom a normally closed position (where, e.g., the leg clamps 50 may bebiased by, e.g., a spring or other resilient member, etc.).

As described herein, the bird carrier 30 may be support above a base 10,where the base 10 is adapted for use in transporting a bird through anautomated conveying system. By providing a base 10 adapted forconveying, the bird carriers 30 may preferably be efficientlytransported using conveying equipment. For example, the bird carriers 30(with or without bases 10 and/or supports 20) may be used in connectionwith the automated processing systems described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No.7,066,112, titled AUTOMATED POULTRY PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM.

Another optional feature depicted in connection with FIG. 1 is anidentification tag 14 that may be associated with the bird carriers 30.In the depicted embodiment the identification tag 14 is embedded in orotherwise attached to the base 10, although it may be attached to anyportion of the poultry carrier 30 (e.g., the support 20, torso support40, leg clamps 50, head support 60, etc.). As seen in, e.g., FIG. 2A,the base 10 may, in some embodiments use two identification tags 14. Theuse of two (or more) tags 14 can be helpful to detect an orientation ofthe base 10 in, for example, a conveying system. For example, one of thetags 14 could provide an indication that it is on the right side of thebase 10 while the other tag 14 could provide an indication that it is onthe left side of the body 10. Other variations are also possible, e.g.,tags on the front and back edges of the base 10, on the carriage 48, onthe torso support element 40, etc.

The identification tag 14 may take any form or combination of formscapable of identifying the bird carrier 30, e.g., bar codes, radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags, alphanumeric indicia, etc. Theidentification tag or tags associated with the bird carriers 30 may beparticularly useful in automated processing systems such as thosedescribed in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,112.

The bird carriers 30 (as well as the base 10 and/or support 20) may alsoinclude one or more alignment features such that accurate location ofthe birds within other equipment may be obtained using automatedequipment. Accurate alignment may be beneficial for some processes suchas, e.g., injections, beak modification, claw modification, genderidentification, etc. The alignment features may operate using anymodality, e.g., optically, magnetically, ultrasonically, mechanically,etc., or even combinations of two or more modalities (to e.g., provideredundancy).

One example of a potentially useful set of alignment indicators thatrely on mechanical positioning may include sockets capable of receivingan alignment pin. The sockets may be tapered in shape such that themovement of a pin into the sockets can also serve to complete thealignment process. It should be understood that the carriers could alsoor alternatively include pins with external structures including thesockets need to accomplish the alignment function. The alignmentstructures in the form of sockets could be provided in any suitablelocation on the carrier, e.g., on any surface of the base 10, headsupport 60, torso support element 40, support 20, carriages 48, etc.

Other alignment and/or transport features that may be provided on thebase 10. For example, the base 10 may include one or more chamferedcorners—with the depicted base 10 being generally rectangular with fourchamfered corners. Another potential feature may include rails 12 thatcan be used to determine positioning of the base (using e.g., aphotocell, etc.), to handle the base 10 (by, e.g., providing aconvenient location for grasping by a robotic arm, etc.), etc. Otheroptional features may include the use of magnetic material in the base10 that can be used for positioning the base 10, propulsion of the base10 (using a cooperating magnetic drive system), etc.

An alternate embodiment is depicted in FIG. 5 in which the carrier 30includes an optional torso clamp 80 operably connected to the torsosupport element 40. The torso clamp 80 and the torso support element 40preferably cooperate to receive and retain a torso of a bird restrainedin the carrier 30. The torso support element 40 and the torso clampinclude an open configuration in which the torso of a bird restrained inthe carrier 30 can be positioned in the torso support element 40 and aclosed configuration in which the torso of a bird is retained in contactwith the torso support element 40.

It may be preferred that the torso support element and the leg clampscooperate to retain the thighs of a bird retained within the birdcarrier in a selected angular orientation relative to the torso supportelement. The selected angular orientation may be chosen to facilitateloading and/or transport of the birds in the bird carriers. Referring toFIG. 6, for example, the selected angular orientation is indicated byangle {acute over (α)} (alpha) and may range from, e.g., zero degrees ormore to, e.g., 15 degrees or more, 30 degrees or more, 45 degrees ormore, 60 degrees or more, or 75 degrees or more. The torso supportelement and the leg clamps may be positioned such that the selectedangular orientations of the bird's left and right legs are the same ordifferent.

Another optional feature that may be provided in connection with thepresent invention is a selectable aperture assembly that may be providedin connection with the head support 60. A selectable aperture assemblymay be used to change the size of the opening 63 in the beak receivingpassage 62 such that a selected amount of a bird's beak extends throughthe opening 63 and is exposed proximate the second side of the headsupport 60. It may be desirable to change the size of the opening basedon a variety of factors such as, e.g., species, age, gender, equipmentused to treat the protruding portion of the beaks, etc.

In a simple form, the selectable aperture assembly may be provided as astructure that can be positioned over the opening 63 to reduce the sizeof a beak that can extend therethrough. Embodiments may include, forexample, a plate with a smaller opening placed over the second side ofthe head support 60, fingers that can be advanced toward a center of theopening 63, a sleeve that can be inserted into the beak receivingpassage 62 (from, e.g., the same side through which a bird's head entersthe passage 62), etc. In some instances, the structure may provide anopening 63 with a fixed size (i.e., a size that cannot be adjusted) andin other instances, the structure may be adjustable between two or moreaperture sizes (e.g., in the form of a continuously adjustable aperturesuch as that found in a camera lens).

In the depicted embodiment, the selectable aperture assembly 100 may beprovided in the form of an arm that can be moved into position over theopening 63 (not shown). The specific exemplary structure includes threearms 102 a, 102 b, 102 c, each of which includes an opening 63 a, 63 b,63 c. The arms 102 a, 102 b, 102 c can be selectively positioned suchthat a selected opening 63 a, 63 b, 63 c can be placed over the secondside of the head support 60. In the selectable aperture assembly 100depicted in FIG. 7, the arms 102 a, 102 b, 102 c and their respectiveopenings 63 a, 63 b, 63 c also change the depth or thickness of the headsupport 60 (i.e., the distance between the first side of the headsupport (the side facing the bird) and the second side (the side facingaway from the bird). Further, the arms 102 a, 102 b, 102 c and theirrespective openings 63 a, 63 b, 63 c of the selectable aperture assembly100 depicted in FIG. 7 can be used in combination, although this may notbe required.

The depicted selectable aperture assembly 100 is provided on a station110 into which the bird carrier 30 is advanced. The selectable apertureassemblies may, however, be provided as a part of the bird carrier 30.One example of such an embodiment is depicted in connection with FIG. 8in which the second side of a head support 260 is depicted. A selectableaperture assembly in the form of a plate 200 is positioned over thesecond side of the head support 260. The aperture 263 of the passageformed through the head support 260 is exposed through an opening 201 inthe plate 200. The plate 200 also includes selectable openings 263 a and263 b that may be smaller than opening 263 and/or have a differentshape. The size and/or shape of the opening 263 can be adjusted bymoving the plate 200 such that one of the selectable openings 263 a or263 b is positioned over the primary opening 263 in the second side ofthe head support 260. The plate 200 may, for example, move withinchannels or some other structure (not shown). There are, of course amyriad of structures that can be used to provide a selectable apertureassembly, and the forms depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8 are only two examples.

The bird carriers and related components may be manufactured of anysuitable materials, e.g., metals, plastics, etc. In some instances, itmay be beneficial if the materials have selected physicalcharacteristics, such as, e.g., electrical conductivity, thermalconductivity, etc.

The complete disclosure of the patents, patent documents, andpublications cited in the Background, the Description of ExemplaryEmbodiments, and elsewhere herein are incorporated by reference in theirentirety as if each were individually incorporated.

Exemplary embodiments of the carriers and methods described herein havebeen discussed and reference has been made to possible variations. Theseand other variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilledin the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and itshould be understood that this invention is not limited to theillustrative embodiments set forth herein. Accordingly, the invention isto be limited only by the claims provided below and equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A carrier apparatus for restraint of a livebird, the apparatus comprising: a torso support element shaped tosupport and retain the torso of a live bird restrained in the carrier; aleg clamp apparatus operably attached to the torso support element, theleg clamp positioned to receive and retain a thigh of a live birdrestrained in the carrier, wherein the leg clamp apparatus comprises anopen configuration in which the thigh can be positioned in the leg clampapparatus and a closed configuration in which the thigh is retained inthe leg clamp; a head support operably attached to the torso supportelement and positioned to receive a head of a bird restrained in thecarrier with its chest supported against the torso support element; anda head clamp operably attached to the head support, wherein the headclamp and the head support cooperate to receive and retain a head of abird between the head clamp and the head support.
 2. A carrier apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the leg clamp apparatus is configured toreceive and retain both the thigh of the left leg and the thigh of theright leg of the bird restrained in the carrier apparatus.
 3. A carrierapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the leg clamp apparatuscomprises a left leg clamp and a right leg clamp; wherein the left legclamp is operably attached to the torso support element and positionedto receive and retain the thigh of a left leg of a live bird restrainedin the carrier, wherein the left leg clamp comprises an openconfiguration in which the thigh of the left leg can be positioned inthe left leg clamp and a closed configuration in which the thigh of theleft leg is retained in the left leg clamp; and wherein the right legclamp is operably attached to the torso support element, the right legclamp positioned to receive and retain a thigh of a right leg of a birdrestrained in the carrier, wherein the right leg clamp comprises an openconfiguration in which the thigh of the right leg can be positioned inthe right leg clamp and a closed configuration in which the thigh of theright leg of a bird is retained in the right leg clamp.
 4. A carrierapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first selected angularorientation of the left leg clamp and the second selected angularorientation of the right leg clamp are equivalent.
 5. A carrierapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first selected angularorientation of the left leg clamp and the second selected angularorientation of the right leg clamp are different.
 6. A carrier apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein the head support comprises: a first sidefacing the head of a bird restrained in the carrier; a second sidefacing away from the head of a bird restrained in the carrier; a beakreceiving passage extending through the head support from an opening onthe first side to an opening on the second side; and wherein the headsupport and the head clamp comprise: an open configuration in which thebeak of a bird restrained in the carrier can be moved into the beakreceiving passage; and a closed configuration in which the head of abird is retained by the head clamp and the head support such that atleast a portion of the beak of the bird is located within the beakreceiving passage and at least a portion of the beak of the bird isexposed proximate the opening of the beak receiving passage on thesecond side of the head support.
 7. A carrier apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the torso support element is pivotally attached to abase such that the torso support element can be rotated relative thebase about an axis of rotation.
 8. A carrier apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the torso support comprises a leg separator proximatethe leg clamp apparatus, wherein the leg separator restricts left-rightmovement of the rump of a bird restrained in the carrier apparatus bythe leg clamp apparatus and the head support and the head clamp.
 9. Acarrier apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the leg separatorcomprises a loop extending from the torso support.
 10. A carrierapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the orientation of the headsupport is fixed relative to the torso support element.
 11. A carrierapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the torso support comprises anaccess opening positioned to expose a portion of the abdomen of a birdrestrained in the carrier.
 12. A carrier apparatus according to claim 1,wherein, in the closed configuration, the leg clamp apparatus acts onthe thigh of the bird with a selected force that is independent of thesize of the thigh.
 13. A carrier apparatus according to claim 1,wherein, in the closed configuration, the leg clamp apparatus comprisesa thigh opening that has a selected size.
 14. A method of restraining alive bird in a carrier apparatus, the method comprising: positioning thetorso of a live bird proximate a torso support element of a carrierapparatus, wherein the torso support element is shaped to support andretain the torso of the bird restrained in the carrier; restraining thethigh of at least one leg of the bird in a leg clamp apparatus that isoperably attached to the torso support element; and restraining the headof the bird against a head support operably attached to the torsosupport element, wherein a head clamp is operably connected to the headsupport and cooperates with the head support to receive and retain thehead of a bird between the head clamp and the head support.
 15. A methodaccording to claim 14, wherein the thigh of the left leg of the bird andthe thigh of the right leg of the bird are both restrained in the legclamp apparatus.
 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the thighof the left leg of the bird is restrained in a first angular orientationrelative to the torso support element and the thigh of the right leg ofthe bird is restrained in a second angular orientation relative to thetorso support element, and wherein the first angular orientation and thesecond angular orientation are equivalent.
 17. A method according toclaim 15, wherein the thigh of the left leg of the bird is restrained ina first angular orientation relative to the torso support element andthe thigh of the right leg of the bird is restrained in a second angularorientation relative to the torso support element, and wherein the firstangular orientation and the second angular orientation are different.18. A method according to claim 14, wherein the method comprisesexposing at least a portion of the beak of the bird proximate a secondside of the head support; wherein the head support comprises a firstside facing the head of the bird restrained in the carrier and whereinthe second side faces away from the head of the bird restrained in thecarrier, wherein the head support further comprises a beak receivingpassage extending through the head support from an opening on the firstside to an opening on the second side.
 19. A method according to claim14, wherein the method further comprises moving the carrier apparatuswith the live bird restrained therein along the conveyor system.